The story of Roald Dahl’s Matilda was re-imagined for the stage in 2010 with Australian comedian Tim Minchin writing the music and lyrics for the show. 

Girton head of drama Mandy Ellision said it was luck that the school secured the rights so quickly.

“It was absolute luck. The rights holders put an email out before Christmas to advertise the rights were available to schools,” she said.

“The headmaster, marketing director and I said ‘why don’t we apply?’ So it was that random thing that we applied, and we got it. Then it was ‘wow, we have to make this happen’.” 

The musical’s songs were written by Australia comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin to tell Roald Dahl’s story of Matilda, a five-year-old girl who loves reading and discovers she has the power of telekinesis.

Matilda will take centre stage at The Capital from June 19 to 21.

“There’s a broad interest. It will be a big thing other schools will want to do, so people from Melbourne will be wanting to see what we do with it,” she said.

“That will be coupled with people who might have missed out when it was in Melbourne. 

“Some students haven’t ever read Roald Dahl or Matilda, so I am hoping exposure to the music in Matilda inspires people to revisit Roald Dahl.

“He is such an amazing writer and storyteller, particularly with Matilda. It is a great story of hope and of kids being able to find their way against rules, authority and unreasonable people.”

Girton Grammar headmaster Matthew Maruff said staff and students were overjoyed when they found out that the rights to perform the much-loved show were secured.

“Even students not directly involved in drama or music are excited by the prospect of their peers and friends performing this particular show,” he said.

“The Girton Grammar School take on the show, like the Roald Dahl books, will be gloriously funny, a bit dark and impossible not to love.”